Emerging Tech Committees

Chair: Josh Hopkins, Star SU

The AGMA 3D Printing Committee was established to watch this growing technology. We have a focus on metal 3D printing and printing gears. The committee also looks at other benefits of additive manufacturing for gear manufacturers.

2024 FOCUS: Materials in this space with an eye on anything happening in the cutting tools area.

All committee meetings take place online (Zoom). All times are Eastern.

• September 5 – 2:00pm ET
  • This meeting we welcome a special guest, Aaron Isaacson, Managing Director for the Gear Research Institute (GRI). Aaron will discuss projects that included the testing of 3D-printed gears at GRI.

Chair: Scott Miller, Caterpillar

The EV Committee has had a lot to discuss in the past three years. We have seen enormous changes in the automobile industry with the pivot to electric vehicles. You can check out our 2021 white paper, A Gear-centric Snapshot of the EV Space, which is available for free in the AGMA store.

2024 FOCUS: There is still a lot of things that are up in the air with the build-out of electric vehicles. During our first committee meeting of the year, members will discuss possible presenters to bring to the committee in 2024 for presentations and updates on specific topics.

All committee meetings take place online (Zoom). All times are Eastern.

• Sept 26 – 1:00pm ET
  • Aaron Byrum and Dr. Peter Schmidt from UPT will be attending the meeting to lead a discussion on nanocomposite coatings for EV transmissions – outlining some of their recent work with the DoD.
  • Dr. Schmidt is also a presenter at the upcoming AGMA Fall Technical Meeting.
• Dec 12 – 1:00pm ET

Chair: Currently Open

Data is flowing so much faster and more than ever. Successful digital transformation requires more than a good strategy and adequate funding; it takes focus on process.

The AGMA IIoT Committee works to bring information to the gear industry on use cases for the successful implementation of IIoT. They are also working to bring information on cybersecurity, one of the most pressing topics in manufacturing today. Finally, the committee will work to bring members information on the new CMMC compliance for those who are working on defense or related contracts.

2024 FOCUS: Artificial Intelligence (AI) – We will be looking at the new AI applications in manufacturing. We are looking for guidance in how gear manufacturers can use this for customer service and ordering. We will continue to monitor the deeper uses of AI in digital twin technology and other software applications. And we will watch for signs of change in electric generation as all of this new technology will require lots of additional supply.

All committee meetings take place online (Zoom). All times are Eastern.

• Sept 10 – 3:00pm ET
• Nov 13 – 3:00pm ET

Chair: Robert Kufner, Designatronics

This committee published a white paper in 2024. You can download it and view its accompanying webinar here.

Big advancements in robots and automation are making implementation more affordable for low-volume, high changeover situations that are common in our industry.

The committee is specifically looking into three areas:

• How can our members best use robotics and automation technology in their plants?
• How are robots being used in new and different ways in manufacturing?
• How are gears incorporated into the production of robotics?

2024 FOCUS: The robotics committee is watching the projections for the industry moving from 590,000 units delivered in 2023 to estimates in the tens of millions by the 2030s. How will we get there? What technologies will be utilized for new robotic applications? And how will this directly impact the gear industry? We hope to tackle these tough questions this year.

All committee meetings take place online (Zoom). All times are Eastern.

• July 18 – 2:00pm ET
• Aug 8 – 2:00pm ET
  • Work on white paper.
• Sept 17 – 2:00pm ET
  • Work on white paper.
• Oct 24 – 2:00pm ET

This committee is working on a future robotic safety white paper, What need to change when robots are out from the cages and in service positions?